Brookfield Drinks has unveiled its festive line-up for Christams 2020, with top-selling Portuguese beer Super Bock leading the charge.
Brookfield Drinks, the principle distributor in the UK for Super Bock, has seen substantial growth in sales this year, up 124.9 per cent for Q1 of 2020 when compared to the same quarter in the previous year.
The brand, renowned for its high quality and unique flavour, has been a major driver of sales into the world beer category, which has been growing at 14 per cent year on year.
Brookfield Drinks said the beer is guaranteed to gift retailer’s maximum sales this Christmas, as the festive season is set to see world beer sales soar.
Super Bock is available in a 4x330ml, 6x330ml and 660ml format. The perfect-for-sharing 660ml bottle has been the best-selling pack format for the brand.
Kestrel is a brand that taps into consumers’ preference for authenticity and high-quality ingredients within world beers and lager, with its Super Premium 9% variant particularly credited as the perfect beer for special occasions.
Proudly Scottish, Kestrel beers are made using a 9-stage brewing process and 7-day fermentation period (whereas most beers are only fermented for 5days) in Glasgow.
Kestrel Premium is the go-to vegan beer, with a clear vegan label on the can, increasing convenience for vegan and vegetarian shoppers and increasing sales for retailers.
“Not only are both Kestrel beers suitable for vegans, they also offer an exquisite taste experience for the consumer, which can often be lacking in free-from products,” commented Nigel McNally, managing director at Brookfield Drinks.
“Kestrel Premium 5% could be positioned within a free-from range within stores, allowing for consumers to easily grab their vegan food and alcoholic drinks together, creating the most convenient shopper experience.”
Kestrel has been experiencing huge growth this year, with 41.6 per cent growth in Q1 of 2020 vs. prior year, despite the challenges faced by the coronavirus.
The brand has recently unveiled its most recent project, ‘The Flying Kestrel’, restoring a 1935 Riley Kestrel car to compete for land-speed records.
Unveiled by Rachel Riley in August, the car represented the beginning of the bold marketing campaign Brookfield Drinks has planned for Kestrel beer, with various other exciting projects set for the coming months.
Kestrel beers are available in a 500ml can format.
Brookfield Drinks’ Diamond cider is a classic loved by loyal consumers since the 1980s.
Triple-filtered to create almost-clear liquid and crisp, refreshing taste, Diamond Cider is incredibly versatile, acting as a base for various festive cocktails, or even a less-sweet prosecco-alternative.
The cider is comparatively lower in calories, which could be a huge decision-maker for increasingly health-conscious shoppers.
The brand has had an annual sales growth of 20.3 per cent in the first quarter of the year.
Black Star and White Star ciders target the price-sensitive consumers looking for a value-for money alternative for an incredible tasting cider. When placed together on a shelf or in the fridge, this offers customers the perfect value selection.
Brookfield Drinks has stressed the need for pairing suggestions to maximise sales.
“To maximise sales during the Christmas period, retailers should consider placing suitable food options next to their drinks offering; this will appeal to consumers ‘grab and go’ mentality and will provide the ultimate convenience for the shopper,” McNally said.
“The need to provide convenience for the consumer is increasingly important now that people’s lifestyles continue to get busier; and this is more so the case around the crazy run up to Christmas.
“In terms of craft beers such as Kestrel, the perfect pairing would be items such as nuts, crisps, cheese, or ready meals such as curry. These are also hugely popular items which people will be looking to purchase around the festive season.”
Leading sparkling flavoured water brand Rubicon Spring is set to shake up the functional water game in 2025 with the launch of its new Rubicon Spring Vits still range, hitting shelves in March.
Crafted with refreshing spring water, real fruit juice, and natural flavours, the product is available in three variants: Black Cherry Pomegranate, Mango Passion, and Strawberry Watermelon, all delivering a burst of essential vitamins to boost energy and immunity.
“78 per cent of shoppers are still choosing drinks for enjoyment, but aiming to drink more water. Taste remains the top driver but 69 per cent are interested in added benefits such as energy and immunity,” Lisa McKenna, head of brand for Rubicon, said.
“We know consumers want to make smarter soft drink choices without compromising on taste so offering a great tasting product with added health benefits will bring more consumers into the functional water category.
“There is a perfect gap in the market for a trusted and established brand like Rubicon Spring to boost this category and help retailers tap into its full potential. Rubicon Spring has more than three times the brand awareness of the leading functional water brand and the new Spring Vits range contains 100 per cent of the consumer’s recommended daily vitamin intake of a multivitamin blend, which is unlike any other brand on the market, as well as being full of the tasty fruit flavours that Rubicon is known for.”
From 11 March, Rubicon Spring sparkling flavoured water is set to disrupt the functional water category with its brand-new Rubicon Spring Vits still range.
Available in plain and £1.29 PMP options, Rubicon Spring Vits is launching in three flavours: Black Cherry Pomegranate, Mango Passion and Strawberry Watermelon. Packed with essential vitamins to support energy and immunity and made with spring water, fruit juice and natural flavours, each format is just 15 calories and fully HFSS compliant.
“78 per cent of shoppers are still choosing drinks for enjoyment, but aiming to drink more water," said Lisa McKenna, Head of Brand for Rubicon. "Taste remains the top driver but 69 per cent are interested in added benefits such as energy and immunity.
“We know consumers want to make smarter soft drink choices without compromising on taste so offering a great tasting product with added health benefits will bring more consumers into the functional water category.
“There is a perfect gap in the market for a trusted and established brand like Rubicon Spring to boost this category and help retailers tap into its full potential. Rubicon Spring has more than three times the brand awareness of the leading functional water brand and the new Spring Vits range contains 100 per cent of the consumer’s recommended daily vitamin intake of a multivitamin blend, which is unlike any other brand on the market, as well as being full of the tasty fruit flavours that Rubicon is known for.”
The launch will be backed by £2 million brand investment to drive trial and awareness including national out of home advertising, social media and sampling.
In consumer testing, 78 per cent of shoppers said they would buy, so retailers can maximise their sales by using Rubicon's vibrant, attention-grabbing PoS materials to create in-store theatre, ensuring that shoppers can’t miss them on shelf. Stock in the chiller next to your other flavoured water brands as this is where shoppers will look for them.
Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK has announced the launch of Signature Action Mix cigarillos, which are available to retailers now.
Signature Action Mix cigarillos contain two capsules combining the flavours of Berry and Mint in ten-packs with an RRP of just £5.85 which is lower than competitor brands, but still with an attractive margin for retailers. The new Action Mix cigarillos will be a key focus for STG UK’s growing sales force, who will be targeting over 10,000 convenience stores in the coming months to talk to them about the launch, as well as offering them branded merchandise. There will also be promotions in the wholesale channel of both Action and Action Mix, as well as a significant trade comms campaign to support the launch, too.
The Cigarillo category only started five years ago in the UK and is now worth nearly £150m in annual sales, accounting for over 56 per cent of all cigar volume. STG UK launched the original Signature Action brand in the same year, with sales now really taking off, growing by over 50 per cent year on year.
“We know many adult smokers continue to look for features they used to enjoy with cigarettes such as flavour, click filters and smaller pack sizes, so these new Signature Action Mix cigarillos should really hit the spot," said STG’s UK Head of Marketing, Prianka Jhingan. "The continued positive performance of the cigarillos category is showing no sign of slowing, so we’d urge retailers to get behind this exciting launch and enjoy those profitable sales.”
STG UK announced today the launch of two new flavours to join their XQS nicotine pouch brand portfolio. Black Cherry and Citrus Cooling are the new arrivals, both of which are available to retailers now.
Black Cherry is a real standout flavour, offering "the rich, deep taste of dark cherries, which is unique, memorable and not commonly found in other nicotine pouches". Citrus Cooling on the other hand, offers a citrus flavour with a cooling effect, "perfectly blending tart citrus with minty freshness to create a well-balanced and energizing experience". Both new flavours contain 8mg of nicotine per pouch and have an RRP of just £5.50, in keeping with the rest of the XQS portfolio.
XQS was launched in May last year in four flavours, and a variety of strengths, competitively priced and with an attractive margin for retailers. Following a huge summer activation plan and some great display units in-store to showcase the product, it has got off to a flying start, becoming the fastest growing nicotine pouch brand in the second half of 2024 and with one million cans already in market.
“We’re thrilled with XQS’s performance nine months on since launch and are delighted to launch these two new additions to the portfolio," said STG’s UK Head of Marketing, Prianka Jhingan. "We know pouch users are motivated by great flavours, and they won’t be disappointed when they try Black Cherry as a refreshing alternative for those seeking a fruit-forward option and Citrus Cooling as a great choice for those seeking a crisp, clean taste with a lasting cool effect. There’s going to be much more news to come from XQS this year too, so watch this space as we continue our mission to drive category growth with great flavours and competitive prices.”
Leading frozen pizza brand Goodfella’s has announced its new partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union as an Official Sponsor of the Irish Women’s Rugby Team.
This alliance marks Goodfella’s first major sporting partnership, and comes at an exciting time for Irish Rugby as they celebrate the 150th anniversary and gear up for a high profile tournament agenda in 2025.
Starting January 2025, the Goodfella’s sponsorship will focus on promoting values of unity, camaraderie, and the joy of sharing great moments with friends and family. The brand aims to highlight its commitment to supporting Irish culture; helping raise the profile of women’s sport and celebrating the success and potential of the Irish women’s rugby programme.
“Women’s rugby in Ireland has been growing at an incredible pace, and there’s never been a more exciting time to be involved,” John McCarthy, country manager of Birds Eye Ireland – of which Goodfella’s is a part of – commented.
“Goodfella’s believes that rugby, like pizza, is all about sharing, enjoyment, and celebrating moments with others, bringing people together over great food and good times. The Irish Women’s Rugby team embodies dedication, teamwork and resilience and we're incredibly excited to support them on their journey and to be part of their story.”
The announcement comes at a time of significant transformation for Goodfella’s, which has recently undergone a major brand redesign, with fresh new packaging, a renewed commitment to quality and nutrition, and bold plans for 2025.
As part of the new partnership, Goodfellas will provide supporters and fans with exciting opportunities to engage with the Irish Women’s Rugby team in the lead-up and during the Guinness Women’s Six Nations and tournaments throughout 2025.